UK conservation research

The WWCT conducts many conservation research projects to monitor wildlife populations and investigate the effectiveness of various management techniques in its reserves. This research is co-ordinated by the UK Conservation officer in close co-operation with the WWCT Reserves Warden for Primley Park and Clennon Gorge and the wardens at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve (Field Studies Council staff).  Undergraduate and postgraduate students from a range of universities assist in this research.

Recent projects include:

• Use of yellow rattle in the restoration of a species rich hay meadow in Primley Park.
• The effect of coppicing on small mammals, butterflies, carabid beetles and plants within Clennon Gorge.
• Comparing butterfly diversity within the calcareous grassland of Clennon Gorge with other calcareous grasslands within Torbay.
• Investigating the effects of goat grazing on Clennon Gorge calcareous grassland.
• Investigating the habitat requirements of dormice at Slapton Ley.
• Monitoring the shingle ridge plant communities at Slapton Ley.
• The ecology and conservation of strapwort.

The WWCT also conducts conservation research projects at other UK sites with a focus on wildlife in the South West, especially Devon.

Recent projects include:
The ecology, genetics and conservation of meadow thistle and the origins and conservation of Devon endemic Sorbus species